MADISON, Wis. – (Nov. 18, 2021) – Substantial completion of the addition for the Center for Dairy Research (CDR) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) has been achieved. As a part of a four-year, $72 million, two-phase project, the completion of the addition marks a significant milestone for the University and the dairy industry.
The CDR is known as one of the premier dairy food research centers in the world. With more than 30 researchers and scientists onsite, the CDR focuses on scaling down large-volume manufacturing and exploring functional, flavor and physical properties of cheese, cheese products and other milk components. The CDR significantly benefits the dairy industry, offering specialized training and short courses with over 1,400 industry personnel impacted annually.
The two-phase construction project consists of a new addition to the CDR (Phase I) and Babcock Hall Dairy Plant renovation (Phase II). The $47 million, Phase I expansion gives the program two full floors of research space, training center for dairy industry employees, specialized ripening rooms, space for different styles and types of cheese vats, and ample dry and cold storage space.
Phase II is now underway to modernize the dairy plant, which will add a new ice cream maker, more freezer and cooler space and an improved raw milk processing. Additionally, new piping, pumps and valves will be installed to move milk and milk products more efficiently around the plant. Phase II renovations are scheduled to be completed in Fall 2022.
C.D. Smith Construction, Inc. (C.D. Smith), of Fond du Lac, WI, provided general contracting services to UW-Madison. During Phase I CDR Addition, C.D. Smith self-performed concrete, structural steel, masonry, studs and drywall, and carpentry trades. In Phase II Dairy Renovations, C.D. Smith will self-perform demolition, masonry, concrete, studs and drywall, carpentry and structural steel trades.
C.D. Smith has played a vital role in providing construction services to Wisconsin's dairy manufacturers. Over the last 85 years, C.D. Smith has provided construction services to dozens of iconic dairy producers throughout the state, including Grande Cheese Company, Sartori, Saputo, Sargento Foods, Schreiber Foods, Masters Gallery Foods, Land O'Lakes, Baker Cheese and many others. This extensive knowledge and expertise in dairy manufacturing construction made C.D. Smith a natural choice for the CDR Expansion and Dairy Plant renovations.
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New and improved Babcock Hall feted during grand opening, open house events | UW-Madison College of Agricultural & Life Sciences (ECALS), April 17, 2023
New Babcock Hall facilities stand to drive innovation in Wisconsin's dairy industry | Wisconsin State Journal, April 12, 2023
UW-Madison dairy production stopped in 2019 - now it's back and bigger | The Cap Times, April 12, 2023
UW-Madison Babcock Hall Dairy Construction Complete | Beneath the Hard Hat® Blog 04.2023
Substantial Completion of Phase I for Center for Dairy Research (CDR) Addition at UW-Madison's Babcock Hall | Beneath the Hard Hat® Blog 11.2021
Construction prospers from food industry R&D | Construction Global November 19, 2021
Project Milestones | UW-Madison Babcock Hall College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, September 2021 - June 2010
September 2021 | Tour of New CDR Addition by UW-Madison's Babcock Hall College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, September 16, 2021
This center drives cheese innovation
Hoard’s Dairyman, August 23, 2021
CDR renovations welcome new possibilities for Wisconsin dairy
Cheese Market News, July 23, 2021
Plants in progress: Dairy companies continue to grow, expand despite pandemic
Cheese Market News, September 18, 2020
CDR is an important educator and examines cheese shelf life
DairyBusiness, August 10, 2020
NOTE: This podcast was also shared through Hoard’s Dairyman.
Wisconsin’s ice cream makers rely on pints, carryout and new flavors as an unusual summer begins
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, June 9, 2020
NOTE: This MJS story also ran in the Appleton Post-Crescent, Green Bay Press Gazette, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune, and the Wausau Daily Herald.
UW-Madison capital projects approved
Agri-View, March 16, 2020
Babcock Hall construction project to focus on dairy innovation
WMTV, March 6, 2020
Ag Chat with Scott Schultz – March 2
WEAU, March 2, 2020
Building commission okays funding for dairy research project
Wisconsin Ag Connection, February 28, 2020
WCMA applauds Wisconsin State Building Commission approval of additional funding for CDR project
Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, February 27, 2020
Building Commission approves projects, Gov. Evers applauds approval for secure residential care centers for children and youth
State of Wisconsin Office of the Governor, February 27, 2020
Our Views: Thumbs up/down for Monday, Feb. 17
GazetteXtra, February 17, 2020
Cost overruns for UW-Madison construction projects draw attention from lawmaker
Cap Times, February 10, 2020
UW System approves tuition increases, construction cost overruns
Wisconsin Public Radio, February 7, 2020
UW Regents sign off on cost overruns for 2 UW-Madison building projects
Wisconsin State Journal, February 7, 2020
Regent panel OKs $32.6 million more for building projects
AP News, February 6, 2020
C.D. Smith Construction update
Facebook post, November 26, 2019
Babcock Dairy Hall to put some ice cream flavors on hold during renovations
Channel 3000, November 7, 2019
Babcock Hall renovations mean 2 years without some ice cream flavors
Wisconsin State Journal, November 7, 2019
Developing dairy solutions at home
PDPW Dairy’s Bottom Line, January 2019
WCMA announces ten cheese industry leaders to be recognized with awards at 2019 CIC
Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, December 6, 2018
Wisconsin is the big cheese
Madison Magazine, November 21, 2018
Beginning of a new chapter: Excitement builds as Babcock Hall construction project breaks ground
Dairy Pipeline, Fall 2018
Shining a light on university-industry collaboration
Blank’s Slate blog, September 20, 2018
Babcock Hall renovation lauded
Agri-View, September 18, 2018
Babcock Hall expansion project moves forward
The Country Today, September 17, 2018
$47 million Babcock Hall renovation begins
Wisconsin Agriculturalist, September 14, 2018
UW officials, donors celebrate groundbreaking on renovation (pdf)
Cheese Market News, September 14, 2018
UW–Madison’s dairy product research projects launched
Progressive Dairyman, September 12, 2018
Center for Dairy Research dream come true in UW-Madison construction project
Wisconsin State Farmer, September 10, 2018
New day dawns for world-renown dairy facility
Hoard’s Dairyman, September 10, 2018
Celebration marks launch of Babcock Hall construction project, honors partners
University of Wisconsin–Madison News, September 7, 2018
WCMA Cheers Start of Center for Dairy Research Renovations
Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, September 7, 2018
Groundbreaking for Babcock Hall, CDR project set
The Country Today, June 4, 2018
Wisconsin industry invests in research, updates its image (pdf)
Cheese Market News, June 1, 2018
Feeling positively June
Cheese Market News, June 1, 2018
Wisconsin dairy research facilities funded
Progressive Dairy, April 25, 2018
Construction costs outpace estimates
Agri-View, April 17, 2018
Dairy facility to see overhaul
The Country Today, April 16, 2018
Ag Chat with Bob Bosold – April 16
WEAU, April 16, 2018
WCMA cheers final approval of CDR-Babcock building project
Hoard’s Dairyman, April 13, 2018
Madison Dairy Research Center, Babcock Hall to be renovated
Wisconsin Ag Connection, April 12, 2018
Building Commission approves projects
Wisconsin Office of the Governor, April 12, 2018
UW-Madison’s Babcock Hall and Center for Dairy Research in line for important upgrades
Wisconsin State Journal, April 11, 2018
NOTE: This WSJ story also ran in the Chippewa Herald, La Crosse Tribune and Agri-View.
Renovation approved for UW-Madison’s Babcock Hall Dairy Plant
WKOW, April 11, 2018
WCMA cheers final approval of CDR-Babcock building project
Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, April 11, 2018
More spending approved for UW-Madison chemistry complex, meat science, Babcock dairy
Cap Times, April 7, 2018
$220 million building boom on UW-Madison campus will modernize chemistry and agriculture facilities
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, April 5, 2018
NOTE: This MJS story also ran in the Appleton Post-Crescent, Fond du Lac Reporter, Green Bay Press Gazette, Herald Times Reporter, Oshkosh Northwestern, Sheboygan Press, Stevens Point Journal, Wausau Daily Herald, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune and the Wisconsin State Farmer.
CDR/Babcock Hall project bids accepted (pdf)
Cheese Market News, April 5, 2018
Advancing projects honor the spirit of an icon
Wisconsin State Farmer, January 7, 2018
Remodeling planned for ag campus
Agri-VIew, September 19, 2017
Opportunities for cheese and dairy
WHBL, April 15, 2017
Thankful for dairy partners (pdf)
Hoard’s Dairyman, January 10, 2017
Trust is a must between donors and colleges (pdf)
Hoard’s Dairyman, November 2016
Center for Dairy Research project back on course
Wisconsin State Farmer, October 9, 2016
A research center back on track
Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, October 7, 2016
Constructing communication at UW-Madison
Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, August 5, 2016
UW needs to stick to original CDR building plan
Cheese Reporter, July 25, 2016
Wisconsin dairy industry is innovation central
Farm Flavor, Oct 22, 2014
Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research goes state of the art
Wisconsin State Journal, January 20, 2013
UW Center for Dairy Research wins federal innovation grant
UW-Madison news, September 12, 2012
UW building plans luring big donors from dairy, meat industries
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, August 25, 2012
Dairy industry raising funds for Babcock Hall upgrade
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, April 29, 2012
CDR/Babcock Hall project bids accepted (pdf)
Cheese Market News, April 5, 2018
Babcock Hall Dairy Plant Renovation & Center for Dairy Research Addition | University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Facilities Planning & Management (FP&M) Project Delivery, September 2021 - June 2010
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